Power management for a mobile communication device and method for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A communication device includes a memory module that stores a plurality of applications corresponding to a plurality of uses of the communication device. A processing module executes a selected one of the plurality of applications and selects one of a plurality of power modes based on a current one of the plurality of uses of the communication device corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of applications. The processing module generates a power mode signal based on the selected one of the plurality of power modes. A power management circuit receives the power mode signal and that generates a plurality of power supply signals based on the power mode signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to U.S. Utility application Ser. No.13/011,601, entitled “POWER MANAGEMENT FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICEAND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH,” filed Jan. 21, 2011, pending; thecontents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entiretyand made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for allpurposes.

U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/011,601 claims prioritypursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 11/639,778, entitled “POWER MANAGEMENT FOR A MOBILECOMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH,” filed Dec. 15, 2006,issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,899,434 on Mar. 1, 2011; the contents of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and made part of thepresent U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to mobile communication devices andmore particularly to an off-chip circuit for managing power to acombined voice, data and RF integrated circuit.

2. Description of Related Art

As is known, integrated circuits are used in a wide variety of productsincluding, but certainly not limited to, portable electronic devices,computers, computer networking equipment, home entertainment, automotivecontrols and features, and home appliances. As is also known, integratedcircuits include a plurality of circuits in a very small space toperform one or more fixed or programmable functions.

Power management can be an important consideration for electronicdevices, particularly for mobile devices that operate from batterypower. Lowering the power consumption of a device can increase batterylife, or conversely, can potentially decrease the size of the batterythat is required, with a corresponding decrease in weight and size.

The advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilledin the art when presented with the disclosure herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of an embodiment ofpower management circuitry in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10that communicates real-time data 24 and non-real-time data 26 wirelesslywith one or more other devices such as base station 18, non-real-timedevice 20, real-time device 22, and non-real-time and/or real-timedevice 24. In addition, communication device 10 can also optionallycommunicate over a wireline connection with non-real-time device 12,real-time device 14 and non-real-time and/or real-time device 16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard orproprietary. Further, the wireless communication path can includeseparate transmit and receive paths that use separate carrierfrequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, a singlefrequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directionallycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, personalcomputer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one or morefunctions that include communication of voice and/or data via wirelineconnection 28 and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodimentof the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices 12, 1416, 18, 20, 22 and 24 can be personal computers, laptops, PDAs, mobilephones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped with wirelesslocal area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners,digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices that eitherproduce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10includes an integrated circuit, such as a combined voice, data and RFintegrated circuit that includes one or more features or functions ofthe present invention. Such integrated circuits shall be described ingreater detail in association with FIGS. 3-7 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 2 presents a communication system that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 1 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Communication device 30 is similar to communication device 10and is capable of any of the applications, functions and featuresattributed to communication device 10, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. However, communication device 30 includes two separate wirelesstransceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two or morewireless communication protocols with data device 32 and/or data basestation 34 via RF data 40 and voice base station 36 and/or voice device38 via RF voice signals 42.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a voicedata RF integrated circuit (IC) 50 is shown that implementscommunication device 10 in conjunction with microphone 60,keypad/keyboard 58, memory 54, speaker 62, display 56, camera 76,antenna interface 52 and wireline port 64. In operation, voice data RFIC 50 includes RF and baseband modules for formatting and modulatingdata into RF real-time data 26 and non-real-time data 24 andtransmitting this data via an antenna interface 52 and antenna. Inaddition, voice data RF IC 50 includes the appropriate encoders anddecoders for communicating via the wireline connection 28 via wirelineport 64, an optional memory interface for communicating with off-chipmemory 54, a codec for encoding voice signals from microphone 60 intodigital voice signals, a keypad/keyboard interface for generating datafrom keypad/keyboard 58 in response to the actions of a user, a displaydriver for driving display 56, such as by rendering a color videosignal, text, graphics, or other display data, and an audio driver suchas an audio amplifier for driving speaker 62 and one or more otherinterfaces, such as for interfacing with the camera 76 or the otherperipheral devices.

Off-chip power management circuit 95 includes one or more DC-DCconverters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other powersupplies for supplying the voice data RF IC 50 and optionally the othercomponents of communication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices withsupply voltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) thatmay be required to power these devices. Off-chip power managementcircuit 95 can operate from one or more batteries, line power and/orfrom other power sources, not shown. In particular, off-chip powermanagement module can selectively supply power supply signals ofdifferent voltages, currents or current limits or with adjustablevoltages, currents or current limits in response to power mode signalsreceived from the voice data RF IC 50.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the voice data RF IC is asystem on a chip integrated circuit that includes at least oneprocessing device. Such a processing device, for instance, processingmodule 225, may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signalprocessor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmablegate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulatessignals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Theassociated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the Voice Data RF IC 50 implements one or more of its functions viaa state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the associated memory storing the corresponding operationalinstructions for this circuitry is embedded with the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the voice data RF IC 50 executes operational instructionsthat implement one or more of the applications (real-time ornon-real-time) attributed to communication devices 10 and 30 asdiscussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 3. Further, RF IC 50 includespower management features in accordance with the present invention thatwill be discussed in greater detail in association with FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 4 presents a communication device 30 that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 3 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Voice data RF IC 70 is similar to voice data RF IC 50 and iscapable of any of the applications, functions and features attributed tovoice data RF IC 50 as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3. However,voice data RF IC 70 includes two separate wireless transceivers forcommunicating, contemporaneously, via two or more wireless communicationprotocols via RF data 40 and RF voice signals 42.

In operation, the voice data RF IC 70 executes operational instructionsthat implement one or more of the applications (real-time ornon-real-time) attributed to communication device 10 as discussed inconjunction with FIG. 1. Further, RF IC 70 includes power managementfeatures in accordance with the present invention that will be discussedin greater detail in association with FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of an embodiment ofpower management circuitry in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, selected modules of voice data RF IC 50 or 70 are shown thatinclude processing module 225, memory module 230, wireline port 64,clock signal generator 202 and interface modules 240 and 242. In anembodiment of the present invention, memory module 230 stores a leastone application, such as application 232 and/or application 234 that mayinclude any of the applications discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4,as well as other interface applications, system utilities, or otherprograms executed by processing module 225 to perform the functions andfeatures of communication device 10 or 30. These applications are storedin memory module 230 and/or an off-chip memory such as memory 54, as aplurality of operational instructions. Depending on which application isbeing executed by the processing module 225, the use characteristics ofthat application at a given time may be used to determine a power modethat powers the voice data and RF IC in an efficient fashion. Ifcommunication device 10 or 30 is using certain peripheral devices and/orcertain interfaces or modules at a given time, off-chip power managementcircuit 95 can be commanded to supply only those power supply signalsthat are required based on the peripheral devices, interfaces and/orother modules that are in use.

For instance, if a USB device is coupled to wireline port 64, then apower mode command can be sent to off-chip power management module 95 togenerate a power supply signal 204 that supplies a power supply voltage,(such as a 5 volt, 8 milliamp supply voltage) to the wireline port 64 inorder to power the USB device or devices connected thereto. In anotherexample, if the communication device 10 includes a mobile communicationdevice that operates in accordance with a GSM or EDGE wireless protocol,the off-chip power management circuit 95 can generate supply voltagesfor the baseband and RF modules of the transceiver only when thetransceiver is operating. Further, peripheral devices 250, 252, etc.such as the camera 76, memory 54, keypad/keyboard 58, microphone 60,display 56, and speaker 62 can be powered through interfaces 240, 242,etc. when these peripheral devices are attached (to the extent that theycan be detached) and to the extent that these devices are currently inuse by the application.

The power management features of the present invention operate based onthe processing module determining, for the current application beingexecuted with corresponding current use characteristics, the currentpower mode of a plurality of power modes. In particular, processingmodule 225 when executing the application, selects a current power modebased on current use characteristics of the application, and generates apower mode signal 208 based on the selected power modes. In anembodiment of the present invention, processing module 225 maintains aregister that indicates for a plurality of modules, interfaces and/orperipheral devices either, whether that device is currently being usedor a power flag, such as power off, power on, high power, low power,medium power, etc, for that particular device, module and/or interface(when these devices are themselves capable in operating in differentpower modes). In addition, processing module, via look-up table,calculation or other processing routine, determines power mode 208 bydetermining the particular power supply signals required to be generatedbased on the devices in use and optionally their own power states.

The off-chip power management circuit 95 can be implemented as amulti-output programmable power supply, that receives the power modesignal 208 and generates and optionally routes the power supply signals204 to particular ports, pins or pads of voice data RF IC 50 or 70 ordirectly to peripheral devices via a switch matrix, as commanded basedon the power mode signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, thepower mode signal 208 is decoded by the off-chip power management moduleto determine the particular power supply signals to be generated, andoptionally—their characteristics such as voltage, current and/or currentlimit. As shown, voice data RF IC 50 or 70 optionally generates a clocksignal 206 via clock signal generator 202, or otherwise couples a clocksignal 206 generated off-chip to the off-chip power management circuit95. The off-chip power management circuit 95 operates based on the clocksignal 206.

As discussed above, in one example the wireline port 64 can include auniversal serial bus (USB) interface module that can be selectivelyactivated by the processing module 225 based on the current usecharacteristics and wherein the processing module generates the powermode signal 208 that commands the off-chip power management circuit 95to generate a USB supply voltage as one of the power supply signals 204.Further, the off-chip power management circuit 95 can, via thegeneration of power supply signals 204, generate an additional supplyvoltage in response to the power mode signal 208, adjust a supplyvoltage in response to the power mode signal, and/or adjust a supplycurrent limit in response to the power mode signal. In addition, thevoice data and RF IC 95 can include an interface module such asinterface modules 240, 242, etc that can be selectively activated by theprocessing module 225 based on the current use characteristics andwherein the processing module 225 can generate the power mode signal 208that commands the off-chip power management circuit 95 to generate asupply voltage via power supply signals 204 to power the interfacemodule. Further, the interface module 240, 242, etc. interfaces thevoice data RF IC 50 or 70 to a peripheral device 250, 252, etc. that canbe selectively activated by the processing module 225 based on thecurrent use characteristics and wherein the processing module generatesthe power mode signal 208 that commands the off-chip power managementcircuit 95 to generate a supply voltage via power supply signals 204 topower the peripheral device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, voice data RF IC 50 or 70couples the power mode signal 208 to the off-chip power managementcircuit 95 via one or more dedicated digital lines that comprise aparallel interface. Further, the voice data RF IC 50 or 70 can couplethe power mode signal 208 to the off-chip power management circuit via aserial communication interface such as an I²C interface,serial/deserializer (SERDES) interface or other serial interface.

The various modules and circuitry of voice data RF IC 50 or 70 that areshown in conjunction with FIG. 5 can be implemented with one or morededicated or shared field programmable gate arrays, programmable logicdevices, state machines, logic circuits, analog circuits, digitalcircuits, and/or any devices or other processing devices. In addition,while particular circuits and modules of voice data RF IC 50 or 70 areshown, this integrated circuit includes other modules including one ormore RF modules, baseband modules, drivers and interface modules asdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4 or otherwise required bycommunication devices 10 and 30 to perform the various functions andfeatures associated with the broad spectrum of applications performedthereby. While a particular connection between these modules ispresented, other couplings are likewise possible, particular through theuse of one or more buses such as data buses.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-5. In step 400, a selected one of the pluralityof power modes is determined based on current use characteristics of theat least one application of a voice data and RF integrated circuit (IC).In step 402, a power mode signal is generated based on the selected oneof the plurality of power modes. In step 404, the power mode signal isreceived at an off-chip power management circuit. In step 406, aplurality of power supply signals are generated in the off-chip powermanagement circuit based on the power mode signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the voice data and RF ICincludes a universal serial bus (USB) interface module that can beselectively activated by the processing module based on the current usecharacteristics and wherein step 402 generates the power mode signalthat commands the off-chip power management circuit to generate a USBsupply voltage. In addition, step 406 can include generating anadditional supply voltage in response to the power mode signal,generating a plurality of power supply signals, adjusting a supplyvoltage in response to the power mode signal, and/or adjusting a supplycurrent limit in response to the power mode signal. Optionally, step 404includes of receiving the power mode signal via a serial communicationinterface.

In an embodiment, the voice data and RF IC includes an interface modulethat can be selectively activated by the processing module based on thecurrent use characteristics and wherein step 402 generates the powermode signal that commands the off-chip power management circuit togenerate a supply voltage to power the interface module. In addition,the interface module can interface the voice data RF IC to a peripheraldevice that can be selectively activated by the processing module basedon the current use characteristics and step 402 can generate a powermode signal that commands the off-chip power management circuit togenerate a supply voltage to power the peripheral device.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented thatincludes many of the steps of FIG. 6 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In addition, the method includes step 401 ofcoupling a clock signal from the voice data and RF IC to the off-chippower management circuit.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

1. A communication device comprising: a memory module that stores aplurality of applications corresponding to a plurality of uses of thecommunication device; and a processing module, coupled to the memorymodule, that executes a selected one of the plurality of applicationsand that selects one of a plurality of power modes based on a currentone of the plurality of uses of the communication device correspondingto the selected one of the plurality of applications, and generates apower mode signal based on the selected one of the plurality of powermodes; a power management circuit, coupled to the processing module,that receives the power mode signal and that generates a plurality ofpower supply signals based on the power mode signal.
 2. Thecommunication device of claim 1 further comprising: a universal serialbus (USB) interface module that can be selectively activated by theprocessing module based on the current one of the plurality of uses ofthe communication device and wherein the processing module generates thepower mode signal that commands the power management circuit to generatea USB supply voltage.
 3. The communication device of claim 1 wherein theplurality of applications include at least one of: a telephonyapplication; a voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) application; a localgaming application; an Internet gaming application; an emailapplication; a text messaging application; a web browsing application;an audio player application; a video player application; and an officeapplication.
 4. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the powermanagement circuit adjusts a supply voltage in response to the powermode signal.
 5. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the powermanagement circuit adjusts a supply current limit in response to thepower mode signal.
 6. The communication device of claim 1 wherein theprocessing module couples the power mode signal to the power managementcircuit via a dedicated digital line.
 7. The communication device ofclaim 1 wherein the processing module couples the power mode signal tothe power management circuit via a serial communication interface. 8.The communication device of claim 1 further comprising: an interfacemodule that can be selectively activated by the processing module basedon the current one of the plurality of uses of the communication deviceand wherein the processing module generates the power mode signal thatcommands the power management circuit to generate a supply voltage topower the interface module.
 9. The communication device of claim 8wherein the interface module provides an interface to a peripheraldevice that can be selectively activated by the processing module basedon the current one of the plurality of uses of the communication deviceand wherein the processing module generates the power mode signal thatcommands the power management circuit to generate a supply voltage topower the peripheral device.
 10. A method for use in a communicationdevice, the method comprising: selecting one of a plurality of powermodes based a current one of a plurality of uses of the communicationdevice corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of applications;generating a power mode signal via a processing module, based on theselected one of the plurality of power modes; receiving the power modesignal at a power management circuit; and generating a plurality ofpower supply signals in the power management circuit based on the powermode signal.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the communication deviceincludes a universal serial bus (USB) interface module that can beselectively activated by the processing module based on the current oneof the plurality of uses of the communication device and wherein thestep of generating the power mode signal generates the power mode signalthat commands the power management circuit to generate a USB supplyvoltage.
 12. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step ofsupplying a clock signal to the power management circuit.
 13. The methodof claim 10 wherein the plurality of applications include at least oneof: a telephony application; a voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP)application; a local gaming application; an Internet gaming application;an email application; a text messaging application; a web browsingapplication; an audio player application; a video player application;and an office application.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the stepof generating a plurality of power supply signals adjusts a supplyvoltage in response to the power mode signal.
 15. The method of claim 10wherein the step of generating a plurality of power supply signalsadjusts a supply current limit in response to the power mode signal. 16.The method of claim 10 wherein the step of receiving the power modesignal includes of receiving the power mode signal via a dedicateddigital line.
 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of receivingthe power mode signal includes of receiving the power mode signal via aserial communication interface.
 18. The method of claim 10 wherein thecommunication device includes an interface module that can beselectively activated by the processing module based on the current oneof the plurality of uses of the communication device and wherein thestep of generating the power mode signal generates the power mode signalthat commands the power management circuit to generate a supply voltageto power the interface module.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein theinterface module interfaces the communication device to a peripheraldevice that can be selectively activated by the processing module basedon the current one of the plurality of uses of the communication deviceand wherein the step of generating the power mode signal generates thepower mode signal that commands the power management circuit to generatea supply voltage to power the peripheral device.